Page 178, “…Students Will Gain an Understanding of the Benefits of Living in a Culturally Diverse World

***Draft: Do Not Distribute*** Merced College Program Investigation: International Studies Fall 2016

Program Overview

Title 5, Section 51022, requires college districts to have a process for program discontinuance. An educational program is defined as “…an organized sequence of courses leading to a defined objective, a degree, a certificate, a diploma, a license, or transfer to another institution of higher education” (Title 5, Section 55000). At Merced College, Administrative Procedure (AP) 4021 governs the discontinuance of programs. This procedure requires the use of quantitative indicators in determining whether or not to recommend a program for discontinuance. In Fall 2016, Merced College Institutional Research (IR) was asked by the president of the Academic Senate to identify quantitative statistics for the International Studies Program to further inform the discussion on program discontinuance.

According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), the Merced College International Studies Program (AA) was first approved in 2008. According to the Merced College Catalog 2016-2017, page 178, “…Students will gain an understanding of the benefits of living in a culturally diverse world. The development of cross-cultural tolerance and competencies provides students with skills valued in careers involving intercultural relations such as those in the fields of public service, teaching, health care, arts, and business.”

An Associate in Arts (AA) in International Studies requires 18 units from at least two of three categories (at least six units from each): Foreign Languages, Global and Cultural Understanding (including anthropology, art history, theatre history, intercultural communications, economics, world literature, geography, humanities, music, political science, and sociology), and History and Philosophy. It should be noted that courses counting towards an International Studies degree may also fulfill general education requirements or the requirements of a degree in another discipline. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, there are no core courses unique to a Merced College International Studies degree.

Methodology

Quantitative statistics analyzed in this report were: 1. Program Interest and Graduates 2. Comparable Programs 3. Labor Market 4. State and National Examinations, Credentials, and Certifications 5. State and National Associations

The requested timeframe was Fall 2011 to Spring 2016 (five years).

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Program Interest and Graduates

As of August 31, 2016, 94 students had International Studies as their current program.

According to MCCD Datatel, the district’s data warehouse, 63 students received International Studies degrees from 2011-12 to 2015-16. In 2015-16, International Studies ranked 16th out of 52 programs in which degrees (AA/AS) were awarded. It fell between ART and PHYS. Awards per year are inconsistent. A total of 19 awards were conferred in 2012-13 and 17 in 2015-16, but 10 or fewer were conferred in the other years.

Graph 1: Merced College Awards 20 19

18 17

14 12.6 12 10 10 9 8 8

0 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Average

Source: MCCD/SharePoint –Institutional Research

Comparable Programs

According to the CCCCO, three of the 14 colleges in the Central Valley area1 offer International Studies degrees: Merced College, Bakersfield College, and Solano College. However, only Merced College conferred degrees in all five years; Solano college only awarded two degrees in 2011-2012, and Bakersfield College award one degree in 2012-2013 and two degrees in 2013-2014. A total of 166 degrees in this subject were awarded by California community colleges during this time. Merced College accounted for over a third (37.95%) of all degrees awarded in California.

1 As defined by the CCCCO Page 2 9/9/2016 9:20:15 AM

Graph 2: Statewide Awards 60 53

40 37 35

30 23

20 18

0 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Labor Market

An International Studies degree prepares recipients for employment in a variety of occupations. The following occupation was examined:

 Interpreters and Translators (Standard Occupational Code (SOC) 27-3091): According to the 2010 SOC definitions, people in this occupation “…convert the spoken or written words and expressions of one language into another.”

Employment in this occupation may require education beyond an Associate’s degree.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) predicts employment for interpreters and translators will grow by approximately one-third statewide and in Fresno, Merced, and San Joaquin counties. Employment in Stanislaus County is expected to grow at a slightly slower rate, by approximately one-fourth. Outlook statewide is for 2014-2024; outlook for counties is for 2012-2022. Employment prospects in this occupation appear robust.

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Graph 3: Projected Growth Interpreters and Translators 40.00% 36.60% 35.30% 35.00% 33.33% 30.00% 30.00%

25.00% 23.10%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00% CA (2014-2024) Fresno County (2012- Merced County (2012- San Joaquin County Stanislaus County 2022) 2022) (2012-2022) (2012-2022)

Source: EDD

According to the BLS (Q1 2015) and the EDD (2016), national and statewide salaries for interpreters and translators were approximately $45,000 annually. Salaries in Fresno County were somewhat higher at approximately $50,000 annually, and salaries in the other counties were somewhat lower, approximately $35-40,000 annually.

Graph 4: Median Salary Interpreters and Translators $60,000

$49,243 $50,000 $45,429 $44,190 $40,823 $40,000 $37,516 $35,984

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

$0 National California Fresno County Merced County San Joaquin County Stanislaus County

Source: BLS, EDD

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State and National Examinations, Credentials, and Certifications

International Studies, in general, does not have any required examinations, credentials, or certifications. However, interpreters and translators, especially court interpreters, may be subject to state and/or federal licensing, examinations, and/or certification.

State and National Associations

The International Studies Association is the primary organization for those in the international studies field. Its purpose is to promote research and education in international affairs.

Alternatives

Per AP 4021, “. . .There are three potential outcomes of the Program Discontinuance process. A program may be recommended to continue, to continue with qualification, or to discontinue” (emphasis added). Discussion of program discontinuance must include all parties potentially affected by the decision.

Pursuant to AP4021, the Merced College Office of Institutional Effectiveness presents the following alternatives addressing each of the potential outcomes:

1. Continue: There have been recent graduates from the program. There do not appear to be similar programs nearby.

2. Continue with Qualification: The program curriculum could be modified to be more focused and require a unique core of classes. Other institutions could provide models for such modification.

3. Discontinue: All courses for an International Studies degree belong to other disciplines and may fulfill other requirements. A more specific major such as history or a foreign language may provide the same opportunities for students.

A disproportione impact study was not included in this report, but may be included upon request with the amended report after consultation with the area dean, the Vice President of Instruction, and the Academic Senate President.

The final determination as to the viability of the International Studies Program at Merced College lies with the Program Investigation Committee.

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness will be available for any follow-up as needed.

Prepared by: Andrea Hall-Cuccia Sr. Research Analyst Merced College [email protected] September 9, 2016

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